Punch press



March 4, 1930. E. P. PIERCE PUNCH PRESS Filed Jan. 27, 19'2`8 s sheets-sheet 1 0 8 au z. n n af, n pf Z n, a y f March 4, 17930.

E. P. PIERCEv PUNCH PRESS Filedl Jan. 27, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mrch 4, 1930 l r/ E. P; yPIERCE.

PUNCH PRESS Filed Jan. 27, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet y Patented Mar. 4, 193() PATN. GFF

ERNEST P. PIERCE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO PUNCH PREISSk Application ined January '27, 192s. serial No. 249,933.

l This invention relates to punch presses and particularly embraces improvements in such Vmachines whereby the same may have what may be considered as more nearly universal Y s adaptability for handling the various kinds of jobs which have heretofore been handled in the various' more or less differing types of punch presses.`

Generally, the object of my invention therele fore is to provide a punch press capable of being set up for operation in any of a number of differing ways whereby succeeding jobs which confront the operator of the ma- Y chine may be handled in the most expeditious I manner depending upon the nature and characteristics of the work.

For the purpose, and briefly, I mount the body of my press, including the bed portion j thereof so that same may be' rotatably adjusted upon a horizontal axis. I arrange the head or punch plate of the press above the body as mounted on supporting means slidable therein, and arrange the actuating mechanism for the head on the opposite side of or below the body. This actuating mechanism is preferably in the form of a toggle linkage arranged between the body and a subhead or toggle plate therebelow having connection with the press head by a number of 130 posts reciprocable in long bearings in the press body and comprising the head supporting'means. The toggle linkage is actuated by a shaft concentric with the axis about which the body is adjustable, so that the T1357'drive to the linkageiis not affected by this adjustment.

My toggle linkage is arranged fora double throw, that is so that the knuckles may j move an equal distance either way of straight- 40 ened position of the links. I arrange to adjust lthe total'throw of the knuckle and tosc locate the throw that it may or may not involve knuckle movement past the straightened link'position; so that the press operating cycle may involve either one or two working strokes of the punch plate and if two strokes, they may differ in length as desired. f i

' I provide large central aligned openings in the head, bed and subhead so that a large variety of tools may be conveniently mounted on these parts with proper provision for delivery of the finished work.

I provide for location inthe opening in the head, an auxiliary head or tool holder, and gear associated with the proper toggle links, for actuating this auxiliary head therefrom.

A number of advantages, which form the specific objects of my invention, follow from 6G the construction thus briefly described. Obviously, as above noted the press may be set up to perform an almost infinite variety of cycles. At the same time the working space between the head and bed is open and easily accessible, the posts referred to forming the only obstruction thereto. rawing operations may be conveniently made upon the work concavely upward, instead of convexly upward as has heretofore necessarily been the practice. The center of gravity of the machine is much lowered and almost all of the moving part-s are below the work zone.

Further objects and advantages of my invention together with the exact nature thereof will beyevident from thefollowing description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a front elevation of an example thereof; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section as in the plane of line 2 2, Fig. l, but with the toggle linkage in slightly different position in its cycle; Fig. 3 is an end view of a portion of the machine taken from the left, Fig. l, but showing the linkage positioned as in Fig. 2.; Fig. l is a detailed vertical section as in the plane of lines 4-4, Figs. l and 2 with the linkage as in Figs. 2 and 3; Figs. 5, 6, and k7 are diagrammatic views corresponding with Fig. 4 and showing certain parts of the press, as set up for a typical job, in three different steps in the cycle of operation thereof, and Fig. 8 is a similarly diagrammatic view showing the press set up for a different typical job.

lVith reference now tothe drawings the base of the machine is formed of a pair of base members 1 which have at their upper extremities bearings in which stub shaft portions 2, 2 of the body 3 of the press are journalled, whereby the body, including parts carried therebyland to be described, is movable between the base members labout a horizontal axis. Such angular adjust-ment of the body on the base is accomplished by-a wheel 4a secured withV the body and a worm 5 secured with the base and meshing with the wheel; and clamping means upon the opposite base member, which means as shown in F ig. 3 comprises a bolt 6 turned into the body and passing through an arcuate slot 7 in the adjacent base member.

The body 3 has a bed portion 4 adapted tov hold a die or the like, and the body which as illustrated is generally square in horizontal section is provided at each corner with Va pair of bearing projections 8 bored to receive a post 9, the posts being threaded at each end as indicated. Above the body is the press head or punch plate 10 having aface 11 to which a punch or the like may be secured, and adjustable on the posts 9 which support it, by nuts 12. To the ropposite end of the posts 9 is similarly secured a subhead or toggle plate 13. 1t will be seen that the punch plate and subliead and the four posts extending therebetween form a rigid assembly :of great strength movable as a unit with respect to the bed, by sliding of the posts in the bearing projections 8.

This assembly is supported and its movement controlled by a toggle linkage directly operating between slotted'lugs 14 extending downwardly of the bed portion of the body and corresponding lugs 15 extending upwardly of the subhead 13. Secured with each lug 14 as by a pin 16 is a link 17 having connection as by knuckle pin 18 at its otherwise free end with a member of a link 19. There are two links 19 corresponding with the four links 17. Each link 19 is in the form of a double link, having connection as by pins 2O with two of the lugs. 15, and being provided with a web portion 21 extending between. the two link portions which are in the planes of the corresponding links '17. Thus each link 17 forms with a portion of one of the links 19 a toggle having a pin 18 at the knuckle thereof, each toggle being similarly effective between the press bed 4 and the subhead 13 and hence, through the posts 9, between the press'bed and the press head 10.

Thestub shaft 2 of the body,on the driving side thereof, is bored out as indicated in Fig. 2 to receive a driving shaft 22. Secured on the inner end of this shaft is a driving disk 23 having teeth 24 against which is clamped by bolts25 a crank plate. 26 having a crank pin portion 27. A connecting rod 28 has operative connection between the crank pin 27 and one of the adjacent knuckle pins 18. The connecting rod is adjustable for length, being formed in two pieces one bearing upon the-crank-pin 27 the other bearing upon the said knuckle pin 18. Adjustment of the pieces and thus of the connecting web-21 of the corresponding double link 19v thus completing the drive through the forward pair of toggles; and by way of the connecting link 31 through the rearward pair of-toggles in similar manner.

The shaft 22Uhas connection through the usual operator controlled positively engaging clutch 32 with a fly wheel 33 driven by a l l motor 34 through a belt 35.

From the above description it will be apparent that regardless of the angular adjustnient of the piessbody and parts carried thereby, actuation of the shaft 22 by the motor will effect rotation ofthe crank pin 27 identical actuation'of all the toggles, and opening and closing motion between the head and bed of the press. Obviously also the throw of the crank 27 will be controlled by the relative position of the crank plate 26 upon the drive disk 23, upon which depends the throw of the toggles, by which the stroke of the head is controlled as to length.

Also the throw ofthe toggles will be controlled as to their relation with the lugs 14 and 15, bythe length of the connecting rod 28. Thus the movement of each knuckle pin 18 may be made entirely to one side of the center line between the corresponding pins 16 and 20, in which case the press head cycle will comprise a single working stroke and return; so that the throw of the knuckle pin will be equal on either side of the center line, in which case the press head cycle will comprise two equal working and rearward strokes; or by making the movement of the knuckle pin greater on one side'of said center linethan on the other, the press head cycle will comprise two working strokes of differing length; the range of adjustment of theL crank throwand of the connecting rod length being sufficient for the purpose.

The minimum clearance between the headand bed in any cyclicrarrangement will always be when the toggles are in straightened position, at which time of coursethe maximum leverage is obtained; and the ultimate maximum clearance when the toggles are at their greatest angularity, is controlled by adjustment of the nuts 12.

As shown in Fig. 1 the press head has mounted thereon a punch holder 36 and punch 36a, and the bed with a die 37 and therebelow with a chute 38 arranged to deliver the finished product. f

As stated before the head, bedY and subthe parts ordinarily carried by the head, and

the auxiliary head gives a motion different from but dependent on, that of the press head, by gear as follows:

The auxiliary head 39 has connection at its upper end, which projects above the press l head 4, with a yoke 40. This connection is conveniently efected by v slotting the extremity of the auxiliary head to receive the yoke, and securing the yoke therein by pins 41 in the yoke and a bolt 42 passing through the slot. f

To one of the links 17 is secured an arm 43 to theextremity of which is secured by means of a clevis44 a rod 45 which' extends upwardly to connection with the corresponding end of the yoke/10 by means of clevis 46. To the diagonally opposite link 19 is seeured an arm 47 which has similar connection with the opposite end of the yoke by the rod 48.` Assuming the parts in the position of Fig. 5, as the knuckle pins 18 are moved lin toggle straightening direction, the links 17 from which the arm 43 extends moves clockwise about the pin 16 to pull downwardly upon the rod 45. At the same time the link 19 from which the arm 47 projects moves counter clockwise about its pin 2O to lower the rod 48 `and the yoke 40 and thus the auxiliary head 39 and whatever parts are carried thereby are positively moved downwardly.

The setup shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 is arranged to move the toggles in each direction of their straightened position, the toggle cycle being from the position of Fig. 5 through that of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7, and return to the position of Fig. 5, such operation being provided for by proper adjustment of the crank throw and connecting rod length as above described. The press head 'cycle therefore comprises two working strokes and of course two return strokes, one of the* working strokes however being of greater' length than the other, owingv to the fact that the toggles are broken (Fig. 5) on 'one side of their straightened position (Fig. 6) to a greater extent than they are l broken on the other side (Fig. 7). The cycle of the auxiliary head however, comprises a single working stroke (Figs. 5 to 7) and corresponding return stroke.

In this set-up the bed is provided with a die 49, the head with a forming tool 50, and the auxiliary head with a punch 51. The operations which will be performed upon a piece of work 52 therefore are, first the piece will be formed between the tool members 49 and 50 as indicated Fig. 6, the head will then be slightly raised from the work and the punch 5l will draw a depression in the work as indicated in Fig. 7. rFhereafter the punch will be withdrawn and by the second and shorter stroke of the head the iange portion of the work will be ironed out. It will be noted that a lost motion is allowed between the auxiliary head and the yoke 40. Such arrangement is sometimes desirable for the proper timing of the auxiliary head' movements.

In the set-up indicated by Fig. 8 a slotted twisting tool 53 is mounted upon the bed, having a lever arm 54 in connection with a push rod 55 supported in a bracket 56. Also mounted on the bed is a bracket carrying a bell. crank lever 58 having a cam portion adapted to Contact with the end of the push rod to effect rotation of the tool 53, return motion of the tool being elfected by a spring 59. The bell crank is arranged for actuation by the link 17 upon -which is mounted the arm 43 carrying adjustable thereon a collar 60, between which and the bell crank 58 is arranged the rod 45.

Similarly an almost infinite variety of working tools may be positioned above the bed portion of the press and arranged for actuation by the linkage therebeneath through suitable connection gear means.

It will be apparentthat the length of the stroke of the auxiliary head or of whatever other tools auxiliary to the presshead be arranged for actuation of the toggle links, will be controlled by the length of the arms 43, 47. Thus to the arrangement shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 may be added the adjustment shown in Fig. 8 and provided by the collar 60 adjustable on the lever arm 43. Similarly the timing of the stroke of the auxiliary` tool will be governed by the relation of thev arm upon the toggle link to which it is secured. For example, the arm 43 in Fig. 7 bends upwards as compared with the arm 43', Fig. 8, which is arranged at right angles to its link 17.

Attention is called to the fact that in the example shown the four toggles are arranged in spaced relation about the clearance provided by the openings in the press head, press bed and subliead, so that work of unlimited lenO'th may be fed through this opening and operated upon in the zone between the head and bed, in which case the press will conveniently be tilted. to horizontal position.

Vhat Iclaim is 1. yIn a punch press, a base, a body having a bed portion, a head arranged on said body for opening and closing movement, and actuating means having a driving connection with said head, said body being arranged for adjustment on said base about horizontal axis, and said driving connection having a member arranged along said axis whereby i Cil said connection is not ai'ected by said adj ust? ment.

2. In a punch press, a base, a body having a bed portion, a head, supporting means for said head slidableV in said body and extending therebelow, and actuating gear arranged beneath said body and associated with said supporting means to raise and lower said head, said actuating gear comprising toggle means Yhaving operative connection between said body and said head supporting means.

3. In a punch press, a body having a bed portion, a base supporting said body, a head, head supporting means slidable in said body and extending therebelow, a sub-head secured with said supporting means below said body and toggle actuating means arranged between said body and said sub-head to move the latter whereby said head will be opened and closed upon said bed.

4. In a punch press, a body having a bed portion, a base supporting said body, a head, head supporting means slidable in said body and extending therethrough, toggle linkage arranged opposite said head and associated with said supporting means and with said body to open and close said head, a working tool arranged on said bed portion opposite said linkage and connection gear means associated with said linkage and with said tool for operating the latter.V

5. In a punch press, a body having a bed portion, a base supporting said body, a head, head supporting means slidable in said body and extending therethrough, togglelinkage associated with said supporting means and with said body to open and close said head, an auxiliary head movable in said head, and connection gear means associated with said linkage and with said auxiliary head for operating the latter.

6. In a punch press, a base, a body having a bed portion, a head, supporting means for said head slidable in said body, an actuating gear arranged beneath said body and associated with said supporting means to open and close said head, said actuating gear including toggle means and means for adjusting the throw of the toggles, whereby the stroke of said head may be varied.

7. In a punch press, a base, a body having Va bed portion, a head, supporting means for said head slidable in said body, and actuating gear arranged beneath said body and associated with said supporting means to open and close said head, said actuating gear including toggle means, a crank arranged to actuate said toggle means, and means for adjusting the throw of said crank whereby the stroke of said head may be varied.` 8. In a punch press, a base, a body having Va bed portion, a head, supporting means Jfor said head slidable in said body and actuating gear arranged beneath said body and associated with said supporting means to open and close said head, said actuating gear a bed portion, a head, supporting means for said head slidable in said body, and actuating gear arranged beneath said body and asso-v ciated with said supporting'means to open and close said head, said actuatinggear including a plurality of toggles and means for actuating said toggles simultaneously. f

10. Ina punch press, a body having a bed portion, a base supporting said body, a head, head supporting means slidable in said body, a sub-head secured with said supporting means belowV said body, said bed portion, head and sub-head having aligned through openings, and a plurality of togglesk ar-` ranged between said body andy said sub-head, outside the path or said openings, to open and close the head, whereby a clearance through said openings is'had vthrough the center of the entiremachine. In testimony whereof I hereby aix my signature.

` f ERNEST P. PIERCE.

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